MIDDLE LEVEL IDIMC
Individually
Designed Interdisciplinary Major Concentration
What is an
Individually Designed Interdisciplinary Major Concentration (IDIMC)?
The
IDIMC presents students with an opportunity to look closely at their
professional goals and combine disciplines that will complement one
another. Students in the Middle Level
program within the College of Education and Social Services must combine two
disciplines to create their own 36-credit hour major concentration.
The intent behind the major
concentration requirement in the State of Vermont is for students to be better
overall learners. Although the major
concentration does assist in preparing teachers for the classroom environment,
it is intended to provide a liberal studies focus, exposing students to theory
based courses offered in other colleges.
Who should
declare an IDIMC?
All
students who are in the Middle Level program must complete an IDIMC. Please note that the requirements for the
Middle Level IDIMC will look slightly different than IDIMC’s for other
programs.
How do I
declare my Major Concentration as an IDIMC?
Students
must work with a faculty member in the college to write an IDIMC. Use this time
with faculty as an opportunity to discuss professional goals, determine which
disciplines will work best in meeting those goals, and to review a draft of
your IDIMC rationale.
During a students’ sophomore
or junior year a proposal, including a list of courses and a rationale must be
submitted to the Office of Student Services, 528 Waterman. Each IDIMC will be reviewed by faculty in the
college and presented to the Student Affairs Committee. Students will be notified of the outcome
approximately one month (when the University is in session) after the IDIMC is
submitted. The committee will either
approve, deny, or ask that the proposal be rewritten.
The IDIMC proposal consists of two
sections. The first is selecting the
courses that will be completed as part of your IDIMC. The second is writing a
rationale. The faculty within the
college are resources for you as you move through this process. It is in your best interest to have your
faculty advisor review your course selections and rationale before submitting
your IDIMC for approval.
Selecting Courses:
·
All Middle Level students must select TWO disciplines, each with
18-credits, for a 36-credit hour IDIMC.
·
Depending upon the discipline, students may have the opportunity to
combine prefixes. Some examples are that
Math can be a combination of MATH and STAT courses, Fine Arts may combine ART,
MUS, and/or THE courses. The State of
Vermont specifies these combinations.
·
Disciplines must be diverse from one another. Specific disciplines that are also included
under another “umbrella” discipline are not allowed. An example is that a student may not select
Fine Art and Humanities and their two
disciplines, because Fine Arts is considered one area within Humanities.
·
When looking at the 36-credits collectively, only 15 credits are able
to be at the 0-99 level. The remaining
21 credits must be at the 100 level (or above).
At least 3 credits must be at the 200 level (or above).
·
A form is attached to fill in your course selections and is intended to
be used as the cover sheet for your proposal.
Disciplines:
The
State of Vermont has determined specific disciplines to be minor areas for
Middle Level students. Once disciplines
are determined, it is the student’s responsibility to work with faculty to
assure that the University of Vermont is able to offer enough variety in course
selection and levels to be able to complete coursework in the selected areas.
The
following are State of Vermont approved disciplines:
Art Cultural/International
Studies Design English/Language Arts Family & Consumer Science Fine Arts
Humanities Health Mathematics Modern
Language
Music Physical
Education Science History and
Social Sciences Technology
Education
Writing your
Rationale
Use approximately 2 pages to answer the following
questions:
1. What are your professional
goals?
2. Why have you selected these
two disciplines for your IDIMC? Please
reflect on how these disciplines complement one another in terms of their
content and emphasis.
3. How do you see these two
disciplines combining to make you a better-educated individual (not just a
better teacher)?
4. How do you see these two
disciplines as combining to make you a better teacher?
5. How do you see the combining
of these disciplines to be mutually beneficial in meeting your goals and
objectives?
6. How will this IDIMC enhance
your liberal studies education?
If you have any questions as your move through the
IDIMC process, you may either see your advisor, or contact:
Linda Kasper,
Graduate Assistant in the
Office of Student Services
E-mail: lkasper@zoo.uvm.edu